JP7023672B2 - Vehicle lighting fixtures, control devices and control methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, a control device, and a control method.

Conventionally, a vehicle lamp that projects a light distribution pattern onto a road surface by two-dimensionally scanned light is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-219206

By the way, in a vehicle lamp, for example, in order to improve safety during driving, it is conceivable to project an image (drawing pattern) showing predetermined information on the road surface. However, in the vehicle lighting equipment shown in Patent Document 1, a technique of projecting a drawing pattern together with a light distribution pattern on a road surface is not assumed, and it has been desired to provide a new technique.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is a vehicle lamp, a control device, and a control method capable of projecting a light distribution pattern and a drawing pattern on a road surface by two-dimensionally scanned light. The purpose is to provide.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the projected member, the light distribution pattern forming portion that forms a predetermined light distribution pattern by two-dimensionally scanning the light emitted on the projected member, and the subject. A drawing pattern forming unit that forms a drawing pattern showing predetermined information by two-dimensionally scanning the light emitted onto the projection member, and a projection optical system that projects the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern onto a road surface. Vehicle optics are provided.

According to the vehicle lighting equipment of the present embodiment, the drawing pattern can be simultaneously projected onto the road surface together with a predetermined light distribution pattern by the light scanned two-dimensionally. As a result, the driver can better recognize the road surface condition by a predetermined light distribution pattern (for example, a high beam light distribution pattern), and can drive the vehicle more comfortably and safely based on the information based on the drawing pattern. It will be possible.

Further, in the vehicle lighting equipment, the light distribution pattern forming unit includes a first light source unit and a first deflection unit that scans the light emitted from the first light source unit on the projected member. The drawing pattern forming unit includes a second light source unit and a second deflection unit that scans the light emitted from the second light source unit on the projected member, and is emitted from the second light source unit. It is desirable that the size of the illumination region in which the light illuminates the projected member is smaller than the size of the illumination region in which the light emitted from the first light source unit illuminates the projected member.

Further, the spot diameter of the light emitted from the second light source unit focused on the projected member is made smaller than the spot diameter of the light emitted from the first light source unit focused on the projected member. ing. Therefore, the spot diameter of the light emitted from the second light source unit constituting the two-dimensional image corresponding to the drawing pattern drawn on the projected member is the first light source unit constituting the two-dimensional image corresponding to the light distribution pattern. It is smaller than the spot diameter of the light emitted from. The drawing pattern has a higher resolution, that is, a higher resolution than the light distribution pattern.
Therefore, since the drawing pattern has a higher resolution than the light distribution pattern, various images corresponding to predetermined information can be formed on the road surface.

Further, it is desirable that the vehicle lighting fixture is provided with a plurality of the light distribution pattern forming portions.

According to this configuration, a light distribution pattern having a predetermined illuminance distribution (for example, a high beam light distribution pattern) can be formed by superimposing a plurality of light distribution patterns.

Further, in the vehicle lighting equipment, the light distribution pattern forming unit and the drawing pattern forming unit form the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern on a virtual screen located in front of the vehicle, respectively, and the drawing pattern forming unit forms the drawing pattern. It is desirable to form the drawing pattern on the virtual screen in a region that is half or less of the peak value of the illuminance distribution of the light distribution pattern.

According to this configuration, even when the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern overlap, the illuminance difference between the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern is ensured. Therefore, even when the drawing pattern overlaps the light distribution pattern, it has sufficient brightness and is excellent in visibility.

Further, in the vehicle lighting equipment, it is desirable that the drawing pattern forming portion is arranged on the upper side in the vertical vertical direction with respect to the projection optical system in a state of being viewed in a plan view from the optical axis direction of the projection optical system. ..

According to this configuration, since the drawing pattern forming portion is located on the upper side in the vertical vertical direction with respect to the projection optical system, it is possible to easily form the drawing pattern below the horizontal axis on the virtual screen.

Further, in the vehicle lamp, it is desirable that the projected member is a wavelength conversion member.

According to this configuration, the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern can be formed by using the light wavelength-converted by the wavelength conversion member.

Further, in the vehicle lighting equipment, it is desirable that the spot of light scanned by the drawing pattern forming portion on the projected member is smaller than the spot of light scanned by the light distribution pattern forming portion on the projected member.

According to this configuration, it is possible to form a drawing pattern having a higher resolution than the light distribution pattern, that is, a drawing pattern having a high resolution.

Further, in the vehicle lamp, it is desirable that the drawing pattern forming portion is arranged so that the optical path length to the projected member is shorter than that of the light distribution pattern forming portion.

According to this configuration, it is possible to realize a configuration that forms a drawing pattern having a higher resolution than the light distribution pattern, that is, a drawing pattern having a high resolution.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the projected member, a plurality of pattern forming portions that form a pattern by two-dimensionally scanning the light emitted onto the projected member, and the projected member. A control device for controlling a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection optical system for projecting a formed pattern, wherein at least one of the plurality of pattern forming portions is controlled to form a high beam light distribution, and the other. A control device is provided that controls at least one to draw a predetermined drawing or character.

According to the control device of this embodiment, it is possible to control the lighting equipment for a vehicle so that the light scanned two-dimensionally simultaneously projects the high beam light distribution and the drawing pattern for drawing a predetermined drawing or character.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the projected member, a plurality of pattern forming portions that form a pattern by two-dimensionally scanning the light emitted onto the projected member, and the projected member. It is a control method for controlling a vehicle lighting device including a projection optical system for projecting a pattern, wherein at least one of the plurality of pattern forming portions is controlled to form a high beam light distribution, and the other few. However, a control method for controlling one to draw a predetermined drawing or character is provided.

According to the control method of this aspect, it is possible to control the lighting equipment for a vehicle so that a drawing pattern for drawing a predetermined drawing or characters is simultaneously projected together with the high beam light distribution by the light scanned two-dimensionally.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp, a control device, and a control method capable of projecting a light distribution pattern and a drawing pattern on a road surface by two-dimensionally scanned light.

It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the lighting fixture for a vehicle of an embodiment. It is a top view which shows the schematic structure of the lamp for a vehicle. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern for high beam and the drawing pattern formed on the virtual screen.

Hereinafter, a vehicle lamp, a control device, and a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make the features easy to understand, the featured portions may be enlarged for convenience, and the dimensional ratios of the respective components may not be the same as the actual ones.

The vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment is a device that irradiates light from the vehicle toward the road surface. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the XYZ coordinate system may be used in the drawings. The X direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the vehicle, the Y direction is orthogonal to the X direction, corresponds to the vertical vertical direction of the vehicle, and the Z direction is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, and corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment includes a wavelength conversion member (projected member) 2, a first light distribution pattern forming unit 3, a second light distribution pattern forming unit 4, and a third. It includes a light distribution pattern forming unit 5, a drawing pattern forming unit 6, a projection optical system 7, and a control unit (control device) 9. The illumination optical axis AX of the vehicle lighting tool 1 coincides with the Z direction. The optical axis of the projection optical system 7 coincides with the illumination optical axis AX.

As will be described later, the wavelength conversion member 2 includes each laser beam emitted from each of the first light distribution pattern forming unit 3, the second light distribution pattern forming unit 4, the third light distribution pattern forming unit 5, and the drawing pattern forming unit 6. Is a member that receives as excitation light (blue light) and converts a part of the laser light into fluorescence (yellow light) having a different wavelength. The wavelength conversion member 2 is arranged on the illumination optical axis AX.

In the present embodiment, the wavelength conversion member 2 is made of, for example, a phosphor. The phosphor converts a part of the incident excitation light (blue light) into fluorescence (yellow light) by the phosphor particles, and transmits the remaining excitation light while diffusing it. That is, white light is emitted from the wavelength conversion member 2.

In the present embodiment, the first light distribution pattern forming unit 3, the second light distribution pattern forming unit 4, and the third light distribution pattern forming unit 5 (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5). (Sometimes referred to as) forms a predetermined light distribution pattern (for example, a high beam light distribution pattern) on a virtual screen facing the vehicle lamp 1. Here, the virtual screen is virtually arranged about 25 m ahead of the front of the vehicle.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5 and the drawing pattern forming unit 6 are each controlled by the control unit 9. The control unit 9 controls the lighting of the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5 and the drawing pattern forming unit 6.

The control unit 9 controls the light sources of the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5 so as to form a high beam light distribution pattern whose center is brighter and whose surroundings are darker.
Further, the control unit 9 receives information on a light-shielding target (oncoming vehicle, pedestrian, etc.) by a detection unit (not shown), so that the light distribution patterns for the high beam can be applied to the light sources of the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5. Controls to block light at the light-shielding target position.
Further, the control unit 9 controls the light sources of the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5 to brighten the light sources in the bending direction by receiving the turning driving information of the vehicle.
Further, the control unit 9 controls the light source of the drawing pattern forming unit 6 to form a predetermined figure (arrow, horizontal bar, etc.) or a character.

The control of the control unit 9 to each light source is synchronized with the light deflection units 21a to 21c and the light deflection unit 14, which will be described later, and the brightness of the light source is increased / decreased or turned on / off according to the position where scanning is performed. It is done by switching.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle lighting fixture 1 as viewed from the illumination optical axis AX direction (Z direction). As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of light distribution pattern forming portions 3 to 5 are arranged around the illumination optical axis AX, and are arranged at equal distances from the illumination optical axis AX. When viewed from the illumination optical axis AX direction, the plurality of light distribution pattern forming portions 3 to 5 are arranged around the illumination optical axis AX at different positions every 90 degrees.

The drawing pattern forming unit 6 is arranged on the upper side (+ Y side) in the vertical vertical direction with respect to the projection optical system 7 in a state of being viewed in a plan view from the optical axis direction (illumination optical axis AX) of the projection optical system 7.
Further, the first light distribution pattern forming unit 3 is arranged on the right side (+ X direction) of the vehicle left and right direction with respect to the projection optical system 7, and the second light distribution pattern forming unit 4 is arranged on the vehicle left and right with respect to the projection optical system 7. The third light distribution pattern forming unit 5 is arranged on the left side (−X direction) of the direction, and is arranged on the lower side (−Y side) in the vertical vertical direction with respect to the projection optical system 7.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5 form a high beam light distribution pattern suitable for high beam applications by superimposing the patterns formed by each. Further, the drawing pattern forming unit 6 forms a drawing pattern showing predetermined information (for example, an image of an arrow prompting the traveling direction of the vehicle) on the virtual screen.

As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment can simultaneously project the drawing pattern together with the high beam light distribution pattern on the road surface by the light scanned two-dimensionally. As a result, the driver can better recognize the road surface condition by the high beam light distribution pattern, and can drive the vehicle more comfortably and safely based on the information based on the drawing pattern.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern HP formed by a plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5. In the virtual screen SC shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal axis H corresponds to the horizontal direction of the vehicle, and the vertical axis V corresponds to the vertical direction (vertical vertical direction) of the vehicle. That is, the horizontal axis H in the virtual screen SC corresponds to the X direction in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the vertical axis V in the virtual screen SC corresponds to the Y direction in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the high beam light distribution pattern HP is formed on the virtual screen SC slightly upward from the horizontal plane. Further, the high beam light distribution pattern HP is formed by overlapping the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the third light distribution pattern P3 with each other. The first light distribution pattern P1 is formed by the first light distribution pattern forming unit 3, the second light distribution pattern P2 is formed by the second light distribution pattern forming unit 4, and the third light distribution pattern P3 is the third light distribution pattern. It is formed by the forming portion 5.

The control unit 9 controls the range of the first to third light distribution patterns P1 to P3 forming the high beam light distribution pattern HP by controlling the light deflection units 21a to 21c described later. The scanning range of the light deflection portions 21a to 21c with respect to the wavelength conversion member 2 was such that each of the first to third light distribution patterns P1 to P3 exceeded 1/2 of the irradiation range on the virtual screen SC (preferably 2/3 or more). The range is controlled by the control unit 9 so as to be above the horizontal plane.

The first light distribution pattern P1 is located near the center in the vertical direction in the high beam light distribution pattern HP. Further, the second light distribution pattern P2 is located around the first light distribution pattern P1 in the high beam light distribution pattern HP. Further, the third light distribution pattern P3 is located around the second light distribution pattern P2 in the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

The high beam light distribution pattern HP includes a central region C1, a peripheral region C2, and a peripheral region C3. The central region C1 located at the center of the high beam light distribution pattern HP is formed by overlapping the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the third light distribution pattern P3, so that the illuminance is highest. ..

Further, since the peripheral region C2 located around the central region C1 is formed by overlapping the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2, the illuminance is lower than that of the central region C1. Further, since the peripheral region C3 located around the peripheral region C2 is formed only by the third light distribution pattern P3, the illuminance is lower than that of the peripheral region C2.
That is, the high beam light distribution pattern HP has an illuminance distribution in which the illuminance decreases from the central portion toward the peripheral portion.

Returning to FIG. 1, the first light distribution pattern forming unit 3 includes an excitation light source unit (first light source unit) 20, a light deflection unit (first deflection unit) 21a, and a mirror 22a. The excitation light source unit 20 includes an excitation light source 20a and a condenser lens 20b.

The excitation light source 20a is, for example, a semiconductor light emitting device such as a laser diode that emits a laser beam in a blue region (for example, an emission wavelength of 450 nm) as the excitation light R1. Further, the excitation light source 20a may be an LED. The excitation light R1 emitted from the excitation light source 20a is incident on the light deflection unit 21a in a state of being condensed by the condenser lens 20b.

The light deflection unit 21a deflects the excitation light R1 emitted from the excitation light source unit 20 to scan two-dimensionally (horizontally and vertically) on the wavelength conversion member 2. Here, the scanning direction of the excitation light R1 on the wavelength conversion member 2 corresponds to the horizontal direction (horizontal axis H) and the vertical direction (vertical axis V) on the virtual screen SC.
In the present embodiment, the excitation light R1 deflected by the light deflection unit 21a is incident on the wavelength conversion member 2 in a condensed state via the mirror 22a.

The light deflection unit 21a is, for example, a MEMS scanner. The drive method of the light deflection unit 21a includes, for example, a piezoelectric method, an electrostatic method, and an electromagnetic method, and any method may be adopted. In this embodiment, a piezoelectric optical deflector is used as the optical deflector 21a.
The piezoelectric method includes, for example, a 1-axis non-resonant type, a 1-axis resonance type, a 2-axis non-resonant type, and a 2-axis resonance type, and any method may be adopted.

The second light distribution pattern forming unit 4 has the same configuration as the first light distribution pattern forming unit 3. Specifically, the second light distribution pattern forming unit 4 includes an excitation light source unit (first light source unit) 30, a light deflection unit (first deflection unit) 21b made of a MEMS scanner, and a mirror 22b. The excitation light source unit 30 has an excitation light source 30a and a condenser lens 30b.

Like the excitation light source 20a, the excitation light source 30a is a semiconductor light emitting device such as a laser diode, and emits laser light in the blue region (for example, the emission wavelength is 450 nm) as the excitation light R2. The excitation light R2 emitted from the excitation light source 30a is incident on the light deflection unit 21b in a state of being condensed by the condenser lens 30b.

The light deflection unit 21b deflects the excitation light R2 emitted from the excitation light source 30a to scan two-dimensionally (horizontally and vertically) on the wavelength conversion member 2. In the present embodiment, the excitation light R2 deflected by the light deflection unit 21b is incident on the wavelength conversion member 2 in a condensed state via the mirror 22b. The deflection angle of the light deflection section 21b (the deflection angle of the MEMS mirror that reflects the excitation light R2) is larger than the deflection angle of the light deflection section 21a.

The third light distribution pattern forming unit 5 has the same configuration as the first light distribution pattern forming unit 3 and the second light distribution pattern forming unit 4. Specifically, the second light distribution pattern forming unit 4 includes an excitation light source unit (first light source unit) 10c, a light deflection unit (first deflection unit) 21c made of a MEMS scanner, and a mirror 22c. The excitation light source unit 40 includes an excitation light source 40a and a condenser lens 40b.

Like the excitation light source 20a, the excitation light source 40a is a semiconductor light emitting device such as a laser diode, and emits laser light in the blue region (for example, the emission wavelength is 450 nm) as the excitation light R3. The excitation light R3 emitted from the excitation light source 40a is incident on the light deflection unit 21c in a state of being condensed by the condenser lens 30b.

The light deflection unit 21c two-dimensionally scans on the wavelength conversion member 2 by deflecting the excitation light R3 emitted from the excitation light source 40a. In the present embodiment, the excitation light R3 deflected by the light deflection unit 21c is incident on the wavelength conversion member 2 in a condensed state via the mirror 22c. The deflection angle of the light deflection section 21c (the deflection angle of the MEMS mirror that reflects the excitation light R3) is larger than the deflection angle of the light deflection section 21b. That is, the deflection angles of the light deflection portions 21a to 21c increase in this order. As a result, the light deflection portions 21a to 21c can form the above-mentioned first to third light distribution patterns P1 to P3.

A two-dimensional image corresponding to the first light distribution pattern P1 is drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 by the excitation light R1 scanned two-dimensionally. This two-dimensional image forms white light (first light distribution pattern P1) by mixing the excitation light R2 transmitted (passing) through the wavelength conversion member 2 and the fluorescence (yellow light) generated by the excitation light R2. ..

Further, a two-dimensional image corresponding to the second light distribution pattern P2 is drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 by the excitation light R2 scanned two-dimensionally. This two-dimensional image forms white light (second light distribution pattern P2) by mixing the excitation light R2 transmitted (passing) through the wavelength conversion member 2 and the fluorescence (yellow light) generated by the excitation light R2. ..

Further, a two-dimensional image corresponding to the third light distribution pattern P3 is drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 by the excitation light R3 scanned two-dimensionally. This two-dimensional image forms white light (third light distribution pattern P3) by mixing the excitation light R3 transmitted (passing) through the wavelength conversion member 2 and the fluorescence (yellow light) generated by the excitation light R3. ..

The projection optical system 7 is configured as a projection lens composed of four lenses 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D in which aberration (field curvature) is corrected so that the image surface becomes flat and chromatic aberration is corrected. ..

In the present embodiment, the wavelength conversion member 2 is composed of a flat plate-shaped phosphor and is arranged along an image plane (plane). The wavelength conversion member 2 is arranged in the vicinity of the combined focal position of the projection optical system 7. By using the projection optical system 7 composed of four lenses in this way, it is possible to eliminate the influence of aberration as compared with the case of using one convex lens.

The projection optical system 7 may be configured as a projection lens composed of one aspherical lens in which aberration (curvature of field) is not corrected so that the image plane becomes a plane. In this case, the wavelength conversion member 2 has a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of field, and is arranged along the curvature of field.

The projection optical system 7 projects a two-dimensional image corresponding to the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the third light distribution pattern P3 drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 forward, and is used for a vehicle. The first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the third light distribution pattern P3 are formed on the virtual screen SC facing the lamp 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the third light distribution pattern P3 overlap each other on the virtual screen SC to form the high beam light distribution pattern HP. do.

Subsequently, the configuration of the drawing pattern forming unit 6 will be described. The drawing pattern forming unit 6 forms a drawing pattern showing predetermined information (for example, an image of an arrow prompting the traveling direction of the vehicle) on the virtual screen SC.

FIG. 3 also shows a high beam light distribution pattern HP formed on the virtual screen SC. As shown in FIG. 3, the drawing pattern BP is formed below the horizontal axis (horizontal axis H) on the virtual screen SC, and the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the drawing pattern BP are in contact with each other on the outer periphery. It is in a state of being. That is, the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the drawing pattern BP are in a state where they do not overlap each other.

The control unit 9 controls the range of the drawing pattern BP by controlling the light deflection unit 14 described later. The scanning range of the light deflection unit 14 with respect to the wavelength conversion member 2 is controlled by the control unit 9 so that the range exceeding 1/2 (preferably 2/3 or more) of the irradiation range on the virtual screen SC is below the horizontal plane. Will be done.
In FIG. 3, the irradiation range of the drawing pattern BP is controlled so as to be completely below the horizontal plane (horizontal axis defined by the horizontal axis H) on the virtual screen SC. The difference between the irradiation range of the light distribution pattern (each light distribution pattern P1 to P3) and the drawing pattern BP is that the purpose of the light distribution pattern is mainly forward irradiation and the purpose of the drawing pattern is to draw on the road. Is.

The drawing pattern forming unit 6 that forms the drawing pattern BP on the virtual screen SC has the same configuration as the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5. The drawing pattern forming unit 6 includes an excitation light source unit (second light source unit) 13, a light deflection unit (second deflection unit) 14, and a mirror 15. The excitation light source unit 13 has an excitation light source 13a and a condenser lens 13b.

The excitation light source 13a is, for example, a semiconductor light emitting device such as a laser diode that emits a laser beam in a blue region (for example, an emission wavelength of 450 nm) as the excitation light R. The excitation light R emitted from the excitation light source 13a is incident on the light deflection unit 14 in a state of being condensed by the condenser lens 13b.

The light deflection unit 14 scans two-dimensionally (horizontally and vertically) on the wavelength conversion member 2 by deflecting the excitation light R emitted from the excitation light source 13a. In the present embodiment, the excitation light R deflected by the light deflection unit 14 is incident on the wavelength conversion member 2 through the mirror 15 in a condensed state.

A two-dimensional image corresponding to the drawing pattern BP is drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 by the excitation light R scanned two-dimensionally. The two-dimensional image becomes white light by mixing the excitation light R transmitted (passing) through the wavelength conversion member 2 and the fluorescence (yellow light) generated by the excitation light R. That is, the projection optical system 7 projects a two-dimensional image corresponding to the drawing pattern BP drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 forward to form a drawing pattern BP made of white light on the virtual screen SC.

The two-dimensional image formed on the wavelength conversion member 2 is inverted by the projection optical system 7 to form a drawing pattern BP. As shown in FIG. 3, since the drawing pattern BP is located below the horizontal axis (horizontal axis H), the two-dimensional image corresponding to the drawing pattern BP is on the upper side (+ Y) in the vertical direction on the wavelength conversion member 2. Located on the side).

In the present embodiment, since the drawing pattern forming unit 6 is located on the upper side (+ Y side) in the vertical vertical direction with respect to the projection optical system 7, a secondary light source is formed on the upper side in the vertical direction on the wavelength conversion member 2. Will be relatively easy. Therefore, the drawing pattern forming unit 6 can position the drawing pattern BP below the horizontal axis (horizontal axis H) on the virtual screen SC.

By the way, in the vehicle lighting tool 1 of the present embodiment, the size of the illumination region in which the excitation light R illuminates the wavelength conversion member 2 in the drawing pattern forming portion 6 is the excitation light R1 in the plurality of light distribution pattern forming portions 3 to 5. ~ R3 is smaller than the size of the illumination region that illuminates the wavelength conversion member 2.
Further, the spot diameter of the excitation light R focused on the wavelength conversion member 2 is smaller than the focused spot diameter of the excitation lights R1 to R3 focused on the wavelength conversion member 2.

Here, the spot diameter of the excitation light R can be adjusted by the focal length of the condenser lens 13b. In the present embodiment, the focal length of the condenser lens 13b for condensing the excitation light R on the wavelength conversion member 2 is the focal length of the condensing lenses 20b, 30b, 40b for condensing the excitation light R1 to R3 on the wavelength conversion member 2, respectively. It is set shorter than the focal length. As a result, the spot diameter of the excitation light R focused on the wavelength conversion member 2 becomes relatively smaller than the spot diameter of the excitation lights R1 to R3.

The spot diameter of the excitation light R constituting the two-dimensional image corresponding to the drawing pattern BP drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 is the two-dimensional image corresponding to each light distribution pattern P1 to P3 drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2. It is smaller than the spot diameter of the constituent excitation lights R1 to R3.

In this embodiment, the spot diameters of the excitation lights R1 to R3 are set to be the same. The condenser lenses 20b, 30b, and 40b of the plurality of light distribution pattern forming portions 3 to 5 have the same focal length. Further, the mirrors 22a to 22c, the light deflection units 21a to 21c, and the excitation light source units 20, 30, and 40 are arranged equally with respect to the wavelength conversion member 2.

On the other hand, since the condenser lens 13b of the drawing pattern forming unit 6 has a short focal length, the arrangement intervals of the mirror 15, the light deflection unit 14, and the excitation light source unit 13 are set from the light distribution pattern forming unit 3 to the wavelength conversion member 2. Arranged to be shorter than 5. That is, the drawing pattern forming unit 6 is arranged so that the optical path length from the excitation light source to the wavelength conversion member 2 is shorter than that of the light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5.

Further, the size of the drawing pattern BP is smaller than the size of each light distribution pattern P1 to P3. Therefore, the drawing pattern BP has a higher resolution, that is, a higher resolution than the respective light distribution patterns P1 to P3. Since the drawing pattern BP has a higher resolution than each of the light distribution patterns P1 to P3, it is possible to form various images according to predetermined information.

Further, since the plurality of spot lights constituting the drawing pattern BP are generated by incidenting the excitation light R having a small spot diameter, that is, the high-luminance excitation light R1 on the wavelength conversion member 2, the brightness is relatively high. have. As described above, the drawing pattern BP collects high-intensity light in a region smaller than the light distribution patterns P1 to P3, and therefore has a higher illuminance than the light distribution patterns P1 to P3.

Further, in the present embodiment, the drawing pattern BP is formed in a region on the virtual screen SC that is less than half of the peak value of the illuminance distribution of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. Specifically, the drawing pattern BP is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the high beam light distribution pattern HP. Therefore, the driver can satisfactorily recognize the information based on the drawing pattern BP.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to that of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the high beam light distribution pattern is given as an example as a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the plurality of light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5, but a low beam light distribution pattern may be formed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the drawing pattern BP do not overlap each other has been described, but the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the drawing pattern BP may be formed so as to overlap each other.

In this case, it is preferable that the drawing pattern forming unit 6 forms the drawing pattern BP in a region on the virtual screen SC that is less than half of the peak value of the illuminance distribution of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. The illuminance distribution of the high beam light distribution pattern HP has a peak value of illuminance at the central portion (intersection of the horizontal axis H and the vertical axis V) on the virtual screen SC, and gradually decreases as the distance from the central portion increases.

By doing so, even when the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the drawing pattern BP overlap, the illuminance difference between the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the drawing pattern BP is secured. Therefore, even when the drawing pattern BP overlaps the high beam light distribution pattern HP, it has sufficient brightness and is excellent in visibility.

Further, in the above embodiment, a case where a predetermined light distribution pattern (light distribution pattern for high beam) is formed by using a plurality of (three) light distribution pattern forming units 3 to 5 has been described as an example. The number of formations is not limited to this. That is, the number of light distribution pattern forming portions may be one, or may be two or four or more.

Similarly, in the above embodiment, the case where the drawing pattern is formed by using only one drawing pattern forming unit 6 is given as an example, but a plurality of drawing pattern forming units may be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, the laser light in the visible region (for example, the emission wavelength is 450 nm) is used as the excitation light, but the laser light in the near ultraviolet region (for example, the emission wavelength is 405 nm) may be used. When the laser light in the near-ultraviolet region is used as the excitation light, a phosphor that is excited by the laser light in the near-ultraviolet region and emits light of three colors of red, green, and blue is used as the wavelength conversion member 2. At this time, a two-dimensional image corresponding to the light distribution pattern is drawn on the wavelength conversion member 2 by the laser light in the near-ultraviolet region scanned two-dimensionally. When a laser beam in the near-ultraviolet region is irradiated, the wavelength conversion member 2 is white (pseudo-white) due to a mixture of light emitted by the laser beam in the near-ultraviolet region (light of three colors of red, green, and blue). A two-dimensional image is formed.

Further, in the above embodiment, white light is obtained by combining an excitation light source (blue light) and fluorescence (yellow light) emitted from the wavelength conversion member 2, but white light may be directly emitted from the light source. ..

For example, a laser beam obtained by combining RGB light may be used. In this case, instead of the wavelength conversion member 2, a plate-shaped member having no wavelength conversion function but having a light diffusion function is arranged. By having the light diffusing function in this way, it is possible to prevent the laser beam from being directly irradiated to the outside. Further, in the above embodiment, the wavelength conversion member 2 has a light diffusion function. In this way, whether it is the wavelength conversion member 2 or the plate-shaped member having a light diffusion function, the projected member on which the secondary light source image of the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern projected by the projection optical system 7 is depicted. Functions as.

1 ... Vehicle lighting equipment, 2 ... Wavelength conversion member (projected member), 3 ... Light distribution pattern forming unit, 6 ... Drawing pattern forming unit, 7 ... Projection optical system, 9 ... Control unit, 10c, 20, 30 ... Excitation Light source unit (first light source unit), 13 ... Excitation light source unit (second light source unit), 14 ... Light deflection unit (second deflection unit), 21a, 21b, 21c ... Light deflection unit (first deflection unit), BP ... Drawing pattern, P1, P2, P3 ... Light distribution pattern, HP ... High beam light distribution pattern, BP ... Drawing pattern, SC ... Virtual screen, AX ... Illumination optical axis.

Claims (10)

The projected member and
The first light source unit and the first light emitted from the first light source unit onto the projected member are two-dimensionally scanned on the projected member and projected onto a virtual screen located in front of the vehicle. A light distribution pattern forming portion having a first deflection portion for forming a first two-dimensional image corresponding to the light distribution pattern on the projected member, and a light distribution pattern forming portion.
Predetermined information projected on the virtual screen by two-dimensionally scanning the second light source unit and the second light emitted from the second light source unit onto the projected member on the projected member. A drawing pattern forming portion having a second deflection portion for forming a second two-dimensional image corresponding to the drawing pattern indicating the above on the projected member, and a drawing pattern forming portion.
A projection optical system that projects the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern,
Equipped with
The size of the diameter of the second light on the projected member is smaller than the size of the diameter of the first light on the projected member. A first condensing lens that condenses the first light emitted from the first light source unit onto the projected member, and a first condensing lens.
Further, it has a second condensing lens that condenses the second light emitted from the second light source unit onto the projected member.
The vehicle lighting tool according to claim 1, wherein the focal length of the second condenser lens is set shorter than the focal length of the first condenser lens. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the size of the second two-dimensional image is smaller than the size of the first two-dimensional image. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the plurality of light distribution pattern forming portions. The light distribution pattern forming unit and the drawing pattern forming unit form the light distribution pattern and the drawing pattern on the virtual screen, respectively.
The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein the drawing pattern forming unit forms the drawing pattern in a region on the virtual screen that is half or less of the peak value of the illuminance distribution of the light distribution pattern. According to any one of claims 1 to 5, the drawing pattern forming portion is arranged on the upper side in the vertical vertical direction with respect to the projection optical system in a state of being viewed in a plan view from the optical axis direction of the projection optical system. The listed vehicle optics. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the projected member is a wavelength conversion member. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the drawing pattern forming portion is arranged so that the optical path length to the projected member is shorter than that of the light distribution pattern forming portion. The projected member and
A plurality of pattern forming portions that form a two-dimensional image by two-dimensionally scanning the light emitted onto the projected member, and
A control device for controlling a vehicle lamp including a projection optical system for projecting a two-dimensional image formed on the projected member.
The first pattern forming portion, which is at least one of the plurality of pattern forming portions, is controlled to form a high beam light distribution, and the second pattern forming portion, which is at least one of the other, forms a predetermined drawing or character. Control to draw,
The size of the diameter of the light emitted by the second pattern forming portion onto the projected member is smaller than the diameter of the light emitted by the first pattern forming portion onto the projected member. .. The projected member and
A plurality of pattern forming portions that form a two-dimensional image by two-dimensionally scanning the light emitted onto the projected member, and
A projection optical system that projects a two-dimensional image formed on the projected member,
It is a control method for controlling a vehicle lamp equipped with
The first pattern forming portion, which is at least one of the plurality of pattern forming portions, is controlled to form a high beam light distribution, and the second pattern forming portion, which is at least one of the other, forms a predetermined drawing or character. Control to draw,
The size of the diameter of the light emitted by the second pattern forming portion onto the projected member is smaller than the diameter of the light emitted by the first pattern forming portion onto the projected member. ..

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